Chapter 14 – Choices

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Willow was recovering from her little ordeal with the dark magics, Faith was off somewhere and Buffy had some free time on her hands.

"You look tired." Said a voice from behind Buffy.

"I haven't been sleeping very well lately."

Sensing there was more, Aragorn held his tongue.

"I keep seeing things in my dreams. That's not particularly unusual for a Slayer. But what is unusual is that they've nothing to do with what's going on at the moment."

"What things?"

"Friends and family, from where I was before. Wherever that was. I had a sister, you know."

"How long have you had these dreams?"

"Since we came here."

"Buffy, have you considered that these dreams may just be dreams?"

"Slayers rarely have dreams that are just dreams. They usually mean something. Something bad. I think my friends might be in danger."

"I can only suggest that you wish to seek the advice of someone more knowledgeable than I am, you should speak with the Lady Galadriel."

"She creeps me out enough with the whole mind-reading thing."

"Buffy, trust me when I say this. The Lady has seen a great many things during her lifetime. If she cannot help you find the answers you seek, then no-one can."

When Buffy turned around a moment later to say thank you, Aragorn was no longer there.

The Lady Galadriel was not entirely surprised to see the petite blonde figure standing in her garden, looking slightly confused.

"Aragorn sent me here. He said you might be able to help me understand these dreams I've been having. "

"I know what it is you saw. The mirror showed me glimpses of things in your world. The dangers you saw will not come to pass unless you fail your task."

"You mean the Quest to destroy the Ring." A pause. "What will happen if I fail?"

"Should you fail, all of Middle Earth will be cast into a second darkness. Then the world will truly be doomed. Both yours and mine."

"Great, it's the end of the world all over again." Buffy said sarcastically. "It's getting old now, really."

"If Sauron finds the Ring, you will also never be able to return home. Then the future you have seen for your friends will come to pass. Those potential Slayers will need someone to guide them. You cannot remain here."

"Oh, geez, thanks."

The Lady gave a ghost of a smile and said:

"I did not mean it like that. You have another destiny besides this and you have a duty to protect those around you. In the upcoming battle, your friends will need you more." A pause. "I believe you should go and speak to Willow. I think she had something important to tell you, all of you."

"About what?"

"That is not for me to say. You should ask her."

So that's exactly what she did.

"You're what?"

"I'm not going any further on this quest. I have decided to remain here. The Lady Galadriel said I can stay here until I get a better grip on my magic."

"But you have a good grip on your magic already."

"Apparently not good enough. If it happened again, you might not be able to defeat me. I could kill you, Faith and the rest of the Fellowship and claim the Ring as my own."

"Okay. Good point. I'll tell the others of your decision."

"And she is sure of this?"

"She is. Willow was never really cut out for any of this. Even in my world, she was more of a research girl than anything else. The butt-kicking was more my department."

"So I've seen. If it is her wish to remain here, she can do so. No member of the Fellowship is pressured to finish the Quest. I do not wish to place Willow in any more danger than she is already in. Dark times are ahead and we cannot afford for anybody to lose control."

"I'm just worried that I might never see her again, Aragorn."

"I have a feeling that we will, although for what purpose I am unsure."

"Is that meant to be comforting?"

"War never is, Buffy. For anyone."

"Tell me something I don't know." She said, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"The Fellowship will continue on, except now they are missing two of their number. What shall become of the witch?" Celeborn asked.

"She will remain here, until such time as I deem her ready."

"Ready for what?"

"One final test to determine if she has full control over her powers."

"And if she does not?"

"I have the utmost confidence in her abilities. I do not think we will need to worry about that."

"I hope you are right." He whispered when she had turned away.